Symonds' attention to detail is already becoming apparent, with the switch from steel to titanium pit stop jacks, and the use of laser technology for pit stop positioning, seen for the first time in Singapore.

The German report also said the 60 percent scale model of Virgin's 2012 car is now complete and will enter the McLaren wind tunnel at the end of next month.

But Glock reportedly confirmed that, when complete, the car will not feature a KERS system.

And he warned: "I don't think that by the first race of next year we will make a big jump. There just isn't enough time. But for the start of the European season we are planning a major update."